Page 35 - NIS English 01-15 May,2023

Project Tiger Nation

India has the most extensive tiger range in the world

India has the most extensive tiger range species have recovered in numbers.

in the world. It has the world's largest India has added 11 wetlands to

Asian elephant range, with approximately its Ramsar list, bringing the total
30,000 elephants.
number of Ramsar sites in the

It is also home to the greatest number country to 75.
of one-horned rhinos. There are India has covered more than

approximately 3000 one-horned rhinos in 2,200 square kilometers of land
the country.
under forests and trees by 2021

India is the only country in the world as compared to 2019. In the last

where Asiatic lions can be found. The decade, the number of community
population of these lions increased from reserves has increased from 43 to
around 525 in 2015 to around 675 in more than 100.
2020. However, in just a decade, the number

In four years, the leopard population in of national parks and sanctuaries
India has increased by more than 60%. surrounded by eco-sensitive zones
Some previously threatened aquatic has increased from 9 to 468.
Visits to the Bandipur and Mudumalai Tiger Reserves in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
On April 9, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Bandipur
and Mudumalai Tiger Reserves in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu,
respectively. He also went to Mudumalai Tiger Reserve's Theppakadu The increasing number
Elephant Camp. He also interacted with the mahouts and Kavadis of tigers is encouraging.
community members. He also fed elephants. Prime Minister Modi Greetings to all the
also met elephant keepers featured in the Academy Award-winning stakeholders and
documentary "The Elephant Whisperers."
environment lovers!
International Big Cat Alliance Launched This trend has increased
the responsibility for
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the International Big
Cat Alliance (IBCA). In July 2019, Prime Minister Modi called for protecting tigers and
a coalition of global leaders to end and firmly curb demand for other animals. Our
poaching and the illegal trade in wildlife in Asia. The Alliance will culture also teaches us
focus on the conservation and protection of the world's seven the same thing.
major big cats, namely the tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma,
jaguar, and cheetah. Its members will include countries that - Prime Minister,
harbour these species.
Narendra Modi

wildlife. We worked on lions when I was the Chief (IBCA) during the programme. He also released
Minister of Gujarat. It was there that I realised we 'Amrit Kaal's Vision for Tiger Conservation' and a
couldn't save wildlife by limiting ourselves to a summary report of the fifth cycle of Tiger Reserve
single geographical area. To accomplish this, we Management Effectiveness Assessment. He also
must establish a bond between the locals and released the Summary Report of All India Tiger
the animals. This relationship should be based on Estimation (Fifth Cycle) and announced the tiger
emotions as well as economics." Prime Minister population. He also issued a commemorative coin
Modi also launched the International Big Cat Alliance to commemorate Project Tiger's 50th anniversary.

New India Samachar May 1-15, 2023 33